Zeng Guofan’s former residence, Fuhoudang, also known as Yiyong Hou Di, is located in Futuo Village, Hed Town, Shuangfeng County, Loudi City, Hunan Province, adjacent to Xiangxiang City, Xiangtan County, Hengshan County, and Hengyang County. The complex covers an area of over 40,000 square meters, with the main structure occupying nearly 10,000 square meters. It is a typical symmetrical Ming and Qing Dynasties style corridor architecture along the central axis.
Fuhoudang faces south and is backed by the crescent-shaped Ao Yu Mountain, which encloses it from the southeast and west, giving the appearance of sitting in an armchair. The surrounding natural environment is beautiful, with dense trees and towering ancient trees on the back mountain. In front of the residence is a relatively open flat area, with a small river flowing eastward, and the flat area is surrounded by layered peaks and encircled by mountains. Fuhoudang covers an area of over 40,000 square meters, with a construction area of 9,202.86 square meters, and is made of earth, stone, brick, and wood, featuring a corridor style. Inside and outside, there are various buildings such as the Babao Hall, Qiu Jie Hall, Jiu Pu Hall, Yi Fang Hall, Si Yun Hall, Ba Bao Tai, Ji Yuan, Fu Zao Hall, Chess Pavilion, and Bookstore. In the past, a plaque with ‘Yi Yong Hou Di’ in gold characters on a red background hung above the main gate, and the granite moon platform in front of the door was adorned with the Qing Dynasty dragon and phoenix flag, Xiang Army commander flag, and the ten-thousand-person umbrella, creating a spectacular scene. Fuhoudang was originally called Babao Hall, named after Zeng Guofan’s family precepts: ‘Reading should be based on interpretation, poetry and prose on tone, affairs on pleasing the heart, health on avoiding anger, self-improvement on not forgetting words, family life on not sleeping in, official life on not taking bribes, and military life on not disturbing the people’. Opening hours are from 08:30 to 17:30 all year round. Preferential policies include: Children under 14 years old (excluding) with valid identification, free; 14 years old (including) to 18 years old (excluding) with valid identification, discounted; Elderly aged 60 years old (including) to 65 years old (excluding) with valid identification, discounted; Elderly aged 65 years old (including) and above with valid identification, free; Students with full-time undergraduate and below student status with valid identification, discounted; Active-duty soldiers, disabled soldiers, and ‘three relatives’ with valid identification, free; Veterans with valid identification, discounted; Disabled persons with valid identification, free; Cultural relics workers with valid identification, free. Service facilities include: 1. Professional guides provide scenic area explanations. 2. Scenic area explanations are at a cost, with the following fees: Fuhoudang 80 yuan per session; Baiyutang 60 yuan per session.Zeng Guofan’s Former Residence
Zeng Guofan’s former residence, Fuhoudang, also known as Yiyong Hou Di, is located in Futuo Vi[...]
